Top 10 Box Office Movies

Ranking based on Chennai Box Office Collections from 
May 25th 2012 to May 27th 2012

Cast: Laguparan, Swathi Direction: Thangasamy Music: Manu Ramesan Production: S Madhan

This adolescent love story has shades of the legendary Kadhal, but Rattinam has a different backdrop and setting. The heartwarming love story of teen love culminates in a shocking climax and that’s the movie’s take away. Trade Talk: Thanks to the overwhelmingly positive reviews it received, Rattinam is also making good business. Public Talk: Swati shows good potential as the film’s naïve and earnest girl in her teens. No. Weeks Completed : 1 No. Shows in Chennai over this weekend : 24 Average Theatre Occupancy over this weekend : 15 % Collection over this weekend in Chennai: Rs. 70,394 Total collections in Chennai: Rs. 29 Lakhs Verdict: Below Average Opening

Cast: Vimal, Nisha Agarwal, Anoop Kumar, Parvathi Nifran, Pragathi, Yuvarani Direction: Premi Nizar Music: Thaman S Production: Ramesh Dhantra  What happens when skewed moral values form the focus of a movie in an eighties style self-indulgently preachy script? Ishtam. Vimal and Nisha play the role of youngsters caught in the moral dilemma of good and bad in this remake version of the Telugu film Yemaindi Ee Vela. Trade Talk: Ishtam opened to below average halls over the weekend and what with negative reviews, it might not find itself in a better position in the coming weeks. Public Talk: Vimal should stop trying urban roles and should abstain from speaking in English till he is comfortable in it.No. Days Completed : 3 No. Shows in Chennai over this weekend : 144 Average Theatre Occupancy over this weekend : 15 % Collection over this weekend in Chennai: Rs. 7,06,151  Verdict: Below Average Opening

Cast: Mithun Murali, Sri, Urmila Mahanta Direction: Balaji Sakthivel Production: R. Prasanna Music: N. Subash, Chandrabose

Balaji Sakthivel’s film is inspired from real life characters and incidents, as is usual with his other movies. Vazhakku En 18/9 stars mostly debut actors and has received critical acclaim. Trade Talk: Above average collections reported from urban release centers, the movie is also making good business in rural centers. Public Talk: Excellent casting and brilliant storytelling!No. Weeks Completed : 3 No. Shows in Chennai over this weekend : 45 Average Theatre Occupancy over this weekend : 35 % Collection over this weekend in Chennai: Rs. 8,46,282 Total collections in Chennai: Rs. 3.09 Crore Verdict: Average

Cast: Arya, Prithviraj, Prabhu Deva, Genelia, Nithya Menon, Vidya Balan Direction: Santosh Sivan Music: Deepak Dev Production: Prithviraj, Santosh Sivan, Shaji Natesan  Santosh Sivan’s historical fantasy is a blend of history and imagination. Prithviraj, Prabhu Deva and Genelia play the part of characters from the 16th century India. Trade Talk: Trade is gung ho about the prospects and what with the positive reviews the movie is garnering, it stands good chance at the box office. Public Talk: Urumi is the third dubbing film to be released in a couple of weeks!No. Days Completed : 3 No. Shows in Chennai over this weekend : 192  Average Theatre Occupancy over this weekend : 15 % Collection over this weekend in Chennai: Rs. 9,11,974  Verdict: Below Average Opening

Cast: Udhayanidhi Stalin, Hansika Motwani, Santhanam Direction: M Rajesh Music: Harris Jayaraj Production: Udhayanidhi Stalin

Talking of Santhanam, Oru Kal Oru Kannadi is the second film in the box office lineup with good collections thanks to his comical presence. Thus, Udhayanidhi’s debut as a hero went by without any glitches. Trade Talk: The movie has had a fairly good run, thanks to Rajesh brand comedy and the timing of its release. Public Talk: This is Hansika’s first hit in Tamil!No. Weeks Completed : 6 No. Shows in Chennai over this weekend : 123  Average Theatre Occupancy over this weekend : 35 % Collection over this weekend in Chennai: Rs. 15,72,366 Total collections in Chennai: Rs. 16.52 Crore  Verdict: Super Hit

Cast: Vimal, Anjali, Shiva, Oviya, Santhanam Direction: Sundar C Music: Vijay Ebenezer Production: Kushboo

Yes it’s silly but which part of humor is serious anyway? So Sundar's 25th film, Kalakalappu, remains a crowd puller in the summer vacation period. Trade Talk: According to trade reports, Kalakalappu leads the box office collections with good returns from all urban release centers. Public Talk: Yet another hit in Santhanam’s profile.No. Weeks Completed : 2 No. Shows in Chennai over this weekend : 153  Average Theatre Occupancy over this weekend : 70 % Collection over this weekend in Chennai: Rs. 69,17,757 Total collections in Chennai: Rs. 4.04 Crore Verdict: Good Opening

Urumi

Urumi: Engaging epic

S. SIDDHARTH SAMSON 

Still from the movie "Urumi". Photo: Special Arrangement

From the very first scene of this film to the last, director-cum-cinematographer Santosh Sivan proves to be on top of this technical masterpiece.

Plot

“Urumi” takes you through the journey and the story of the person who plots to kill Vasco da Gama, the famous Portuguese sailor. Kelu Nayanar (Prithviraj) plans an uprising by taking revenge for the blood of his father Chirakkal Kothuval (Arya) who is killed in an infamous massacre by the Vasco da Gama-led Portuguese army.

This magnum opus gives you the feel of a revolution with a very thoughtfully written screenplay peppered with good comic timing. The songs, waterfall sequences and the war scenes evoke a feel of realism due to its stunning visuals and brilliant re-recording.

Performances

Prithiviraj as Chirakkal Kelu Nayanar does not do justice to the role with his acting but his convincing action sequences and his muscular physique compensate for it.

It is Prabhudeva as Vavvali who excels with his standout comic repartee. Genelia as the fierce spirited Arackal Ayesha does a fantastic job in the swordfights.

Nithya Menon as Chirakkal Bala puts up a very neat and a fine performance and her scenes with Vavvali are enjoyable. Arya's performance as both the story-teller Thangachan and Kothuval is also noteworthy as his rebellious spirit is brought out very well.

Certain portions in the film become very melodramatic to suit the Indian audiences thereby derailing the pace. The brilliantly choreographed action sequences seem to be a tad too loud for the ears.

Bottomline: This movie is an engaging epic with mind-blowing visuals and brilliant performances.

BIG SCREEN

Movie: Urumi

Cast: Prithviraj, Prabhudeva, Genelia D'Souza, Nithya Menon…